Eagerly anticipated by Muslims across the world, Id-ul-Fitr is the most important festival for Goa’s Muslim community. Colourful streamers thread through neighbourhoods, their vibrancy offset by the serenity of white garments worn by men.
After a breakfast of dates, Muslims set out for the mosque amidst greetings of ‘Id mubarak’. The Id special prayer ‘Do Rakat Namaz’ is said, and worshippers disband towards houses of relatives and friends. Children excitedly receive gifts and sweets, and alms are generously distributed to the poor.
‘Id’ means ‘festivity’ in Arabic, while ‘fitr’ means ‘to break the fast’. The lunch spread with cinnamon scented biryani as the centrepiece is a well-earned indulgence after weeks of devoutly observed fasts.